I have a confession to make. I attended the Effingham County Fair and actually paid $3 for one bottle of water. My “buy” price is $3 or less for a 24-pack of bottled water, but I was thirsty and a victim of my surroundings. That same case that could have been purchased for $3 will end up being sold for $72. Does that sound outrageous to you?

You may be surprised to find that you make outrageous purchases every day. Let’s say you stop at the convenience store five days a week on the way to work, and you purchase a 20-ounce soda for $1.49 plus tax. Do you realize how much you would have spent in a year’s time?

I’ve done the math for you: $414.52. By planning ahead, you could easily score a 12-pack of canned soda for $2.50. If you purchase a 12-pack each week, you will have spent $139.10. That’s a difference of $275.42 a year.

Many of us overspend around the holidays, and when January comes we are left struggling financially. Then, here comes the New Year’s resolution: I’m going to set a budget and get out of debt.

Who says you have to wait until the new year? Let’s start right now. I am going to show you a few ways you can save money to put toward your holiday spending this year, so you won’t be drowning in January. You do not have to be an “extreme” couponer to save money. Follow these tips and watch your stockpiles and your savings grow.

Coupons

If you save $10 a week using coupons on items you purchase on a regular basis, you’d be saving $520 a year. Most of you will save even more than that. If you are able, take half of what you have saved and place it in a holiday or vacation fund. Or maybe your goal is to pay off a debt. Either way, a penny saved is a penny earned toward your financial peace.

Savvy Tips for using coupons:

• Combine Buy One, Get One Free sales with coupons. You can use two coupons on a Buy One, Get One Free sale. (At all area grocery stores, the item rings up half price; you do not have to purchase both to get the sale price).

• Combine Double Coupons with those Buy One Get One Free promotions and hit the jackpot.

Publix, Kroger, and Harveys double coupons up to 50 cents every day.

Piggly Wiggly doubles up to 75 cents every day.

Bi-Lo will double up to 60 cents every day.

Fred’s will double up to 70 cents on Saturdays only.

Let’s see what it looks like when we combine a BOGO sale with coupons: (This is just an example not an actual deal this week).

Peanut Butter

Regular price: $2.50

BOGO price: $1.25 each

— two 50 cents off Peanut Butter coupons. (50 cent coupon will double to $1, taking a total of $2 off)

Final price = 50 cents or 25 cents each

• Remember to be savvy when purchasing your newspaper, too! You get a discount if you have more than two Sunday papers delivered to your home. If you would like more info, email me at Savvyshopper@savannahnow.com.

Prices

Watch those prices. Not every sale is a true sale. I’ve seen 12 packs of Coke advertised for $4 and cereal for $3. That’s just crazy. (My “buy” prices for Cokes are $2.50 for a 12 pack and $1.50 or less for cereal after coupons). Start paying attention to the prices of the items you are purchasing. Coupons are just the icing on the cake; price is the most important thing. You want to make sure you are paying the smallest price possible.

Savvy Tips:

• Use the Shopping Wizard online tool at www.savvyshopperdeals.com/georgia. This free tool lists all of the advertised prices in our area at local stores. It also matches it up with coupons from the Sunday paper.

The wizard is searchable. If you need potatoes, type that in the search engine, and if they are on sale anywhere you’ll get a list of all those places. You can compare them to find the cheapest price. I also rank the deals “Good,” “Great” and “Wow” to help you locate those items that are truly at stock-up prices.

• Start a price book on items that you purchase on a regular basis. Just write them down in a tablet, or you can get fancy and keep them on a spreadsheet. For example, Kroger has boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.99 a pound about every other week. I refuse to pay more than that, and I stock up when it hits that price or less.

Stock up

Stock up on items when they hit rock-bottom prices. Figure out what you need for the next six to12 weeks and purchase enough of that item to get you through until the next sale.

Savvy Tips:

• Keep in mind expiration dates. Do not purchase more than you will use.

• Do not clear the shelves. Ask the store to special order for you or ask if they will be getting more in.

Use less

Many of us get so caught up in what we are doing that we never take the time to think about how much of a product we are using.

Do we really need that much shampoo? What about laundry detergent? If you use just a little less it won’t really make a difference to the cleanliness of your clothes, but it will make a difference to your wallet.

Pay attention to packaging

Manufacturers are placing things in smaller packages and not charging the same amount as they did before. Sometimes they even charge more.

Shop around

Before you make any big-ticket purchases, shop around at several stores to see which offers the best price.

Dollar stores

Most dollar stores don’t take coupons, but become familiar with what they carry. Do they have the cleaner that you use in the same size bottle sold at the local drug store or grocery store? If so, then your maximum price for that item should be $1.

Gift card promotions

Take advantage of gift card promotions that will begin to pop up this time of year. Many will offer a card for purchasing specific items, or you may be able to score one by transferring a prescription.

Store loyalty cards

Always sign up for the stores’ loyalty cards, register them online with mailing and email addresses, and use them every time you shop.

Whatever your coupon style, you need to start somewhere and start now. Even $10 a week is $520 a year. If you haven’t taken my class yet you can sign up at www.savannahnow.com/events.

Share your tips and questions with Savvy Shopper Michelle Rubrecht at Savvyshopper@savannahnow.com or on Facebook at Savannah Savvy Shopper.